City can't use race, gender to award bids

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Albany's city manager says considering minority participation when awarding contracts with the city isn't legal. Al Lott told city commissioners Tuesday they can no longer award bids based on race or gender participation.

Lott says a disparity study made it clear that the city should shift its focus from race and gender to a focus on small business participation. He said, "I am making certain through my director that we do not make any decisions with regard to what bids we bring before the commission as based on race, gender, ethnicity, anything like that."

Lott says he expects the director of the Small and Disadvantage Business office to come up with a new plan on awarding of bids to small businesses within the next month.